Course information for - 2027 entry
Domestic
- Domestic
- International
- Domestic
- International
Offered at 1 locations
- Melbourne
- Melbourne
- Duration
- 2 years full-time or equivalent part-time
- ATAR
- N/A
- Fees (first year)*
- Start dates
-
Semester 1 intake: Beginning February 2027
Applications open August 2026
Midyear (Semester 2) intake: Beginning July 2027
Applications open April 2027
Commonwealth Supported Places are available for this course. See the Courses costs section below, under Fees.
Overview
ACU’s Master of Public Health equips graduates with specialised knowledge, understanding and skills in public health to improve and advance population health and well-being. ACU’s MPH prepares graduates to practice with a community, national or global focus, and with an ethical, social justice perspective.
A uniquely ACU specialisation, global health is an increasingly important and active area of work for public health practitioners. If you are planning to focus on global health, our Master of Public Health program offers a specialisation in global health and advocacy during your second year. The Master of Public Health (Global Health and Advocacy) specialisation will give you the knowledge, skills and experience to practice effectively in the evolving professional landscape of global health.
Students may choose to complete their Master with specialisation through a Research Pathway (undertaking additional research training and completion of a minor thesis) or a Capstone Pathway (involving a capstone experience, such as a practice-based project).
Commonwealth Supported Places may be available for this course. See the Courses costs section below, under Fees.
Community engagement
Within the MPH for those students opting to do the 'project stream" of the course, there is an opportunity for preparing for community engagement (PUBH649 preparation for practice) and for undertaking a placement (PUBH655 practice placement). Both are community engagement units within the course.
Professional recognition
Our Master of Public Health program has been designed around the Foundation Competencies for Master of Public Health Graduates in Australia and the requirements of the Australian Faculty of Public Health Medicine (for medical practitioners specialising in public health). Other international competency and practice standards and conceptual frameworks have also informed the Master of Public Health curriculum design.
Supervision arrangements
Internal supervisors are provided for PUBH649 preparation for practice and for PUBH655 practice placement. External industry supervisors may also be provided
Accreditation
Our Master of Public Health program is not accredited
Careers
Approximately half of all Master of Public Health graduates are employed within the health sector, with others finding opportunities within education, government and services sectors in managerial, analytical and program-/project-based roles.
Our graduates have pursued careers in:
- the health sector
- education
- government
- service sectors
Employment rates
According to the 2020 Graduate Outcomes Survey (GOS) summary published by ACIC:
ACU postgraduate full-time employment rate: 98.6%
This figure applies to all postgraduate coursework graduates, not specifically MPH, but it is the official published statistic most applicable to ACU master's graduates
Industry partnerships
Industry partners include:
Victorian Department of health, 50 Lonsdale st Melbourne
Richmond Community Health Centre
AMES Preston
Your Community Health (Darebin)42 Separation Street, Northcote VIC 307
North Yarra Community Health Centre, 365 Hoddle St, Collingwood VIC 3066
Melbourne Sexual Health Centre (Carlton), 580 Swanston st Carlton Vic 3053
Course details
Course structure
To complete the Master of Public Health (Global Health and Advocacy), a student must complete 160 credit points (cp).
Course map
Graduate statement
AQF framework
Additional course information
ACU’s Master of Public Health program is distinguished by:
- Study options and flexibility to meet the needs of postgraduate students who are also working; for example, full-/part-time study, on-campus or online study mode, intensive unit teaching schedules (including weekends);
- A curriculum designed with reference to Australian and international competency standards for public health and practice-relevant conceptual frameworks;
- A focus on illustrating theory with relevant, practical examples of established and emergent public health issues and contemporary social issues with substantial health impacts, such as family violence, homelessness and cyber-/workplace bullying;
- A unique specialisation option, the Master of Public Health (Global Health & Advocacy), allowing students to concentrate their studies on issues of global health, sustainable development, food security and humanitarian assistance. This specialisation also allows students develop their advocacy skills, a vitally important component of public/global health practice: to not just implement positive change, but to also influence positive change in the first place;
- Placing the UN Sustainable Development Goals at the centre of the Global Health & Advocacy specialisation to enable graduates wanting to work internationally are well-grounded in the overarching principles that will guide global health practice into the future;
- Assessment tasks designed to simulate practice-relevant data, situations, problems or issues, with students assessed on their responses as public health practitioners;
- A choice of completing the Master of Public Health either by Research Pathway (involving additional research training and then preparation of a minor research thesis) or by Capstone Pathway (involving a practice-based project or other approved fieldwork/project/experience;
- Alignment of public health’s professional values with ACU’s Mission; for example, striving to achieve prevention of illness and improved, equitable health outcomes for all people (public health practice) with the pursuit of the dignity of the human person and the common good (ACU’s Mission).
Overseas study available
Overseas study is not generally available
Entry requirements
An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
International students need to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements as defined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must have either:
a. a Bachelor degree (or higher) in health (or related field);
OR
b. a Bachelor degree (or higher) or equivalent, and two years professional experience in health (or related field);
OR
c. successfully completed a Graduate Certificate in Public Health.
Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2027 Admission.
Applicants with higher education study
You will need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course.
If you have completed at least two units of AQF-recognised study at bachelor level or above, we’ll assign you with a new selection rank that reflects your study level, duration, and grade point average.
If your prior study or relevant work experience has provided you with knowledge, skills or experience aligned with the learning outcomes of units in your new course, you may be eligible to gain credit for study or have your prior learning recognised. This means you may be able to complete your ACU course in a shorter timeframe.
Applicants with work and life experience
If your prior study or relevant work experience has provided you with knowledge, skills or experience aligned with the learning outcomes of units in your new course, you may be eligible to gain credit for study or have your prior learning recognised. This means you may be able to complete your ACU course in a shorter timeframe.
English language requirements
Applicants require an academic IELTS minimum overall score of 6.5 (with a minimum score of 6.0 in all bands), or an equivalent acceptable test score as outlined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy (see English Language Proficiency).
Inherent requirement
There are essential components of a course or unit that demonstrate the capabilities, knowledge and skills to achieve the core learning outcomes of that course or unit. You will need to be able to meet these inherent requirements to complete your course.
Learn more about inherent requirements for your course and how they affect you
Pathways
Pathways into course for applicants with previous study and/or life experience
If your prior study or relevant work experience has provided you with knowledge, skills or experience aligned with the learning outcomes of units in your new course, you may be eligible to gain credit for study or have your prior learning recognised. This means you may be able to complete your ACU course in a shorter timeframe.
Further study
Master of Public Health (MPH) graduates may be able to progress to a higher degree by research (eg Doctor of Philosophy). Students interested in doing so are encouraged to complete their MPH via the Research Pathway.
Fees
Course costs
*This is an indicative first-year fee based on the tuition fee rates for a full-time student, using unit enrolment data from domestic students who studied the course in the previous year.
A student’s annual fee will vary depending on factors including:
- Number of units studied per year
- Choice of major or specialisation
- Elective units
The University reviews fees annually.
You can view current course costs and domestic tuition fee rates by unit.
A 10% rebate on fees will be offered to domestic ACU graduates (from any faculty) enrolling in full fee-paying postgraduate studies in the Faculty of Health Sciences. Conditions apply.
Payment options
You should be able to concentrate on getting good marks instead of worrying about how you’ll pay your fees. We have a number of options that can help you ease the financial burden, including government assistance, scholarships and income support.
Scholarships
You could be eligible for one of the hundreds of scholarships we award each year to help students from across the university with the cost of studying, accommodation or overseas study opportunities. Some of our scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit, but these aren’t just for the academically gifted; ACU also recognises excellence in community engagement and leadership. We also offer a range of scholarships for those who may be struggling financially or who have faced other barriers to accessing education.
How to apply
When To Apply
For most courses, applications for Semester 1 open in August, and applications for the midyear intake (Semester 2) open in April.
Please note that not all courses are available to start midyear. Check the course browser in April to see which options are open for Semester 2.
Some courses also accept applications for other study periods. For example, a selection of our online courses offer four intakes each year.
When applications are open for a course, you’ll see a link on the course page explaining how to apply. Ensure you select you preferred campus from the available locations at the top of the page.
For more information, visit our how to apply guide and check out our study periods.
Deferment
Deferment is available for one year. Find out more about deferment.